Actuator cap construction for aerosol devices



Dec. 28, 1965 P. H. SAGARIN 3,225,966

ACTUATOR GAP CONSTRUCTION FOR AEROSOL DEVICES Filed Aug. 20, 1963 INVENTOR.

Ph LU H. Sagavivn United States Patent 3,225,966 ACTUATOR CAP CONSTRUCTION FOR AEROSOL DEVICES Philip H. Sagan-in, Bridgeport, Conn, assignor to Valve Corporation of America, Bridgeport, Conm, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 20, 1963, Ser. No. 303,239 Claims. (Cl. 222153) This invention relates to small aerosol devices of the hand-held type, and more particularly to valve-actuator type caps for such devices.

Heretofore one well-known type of actuator cap for aerosols has been produced in the form of two separate pieces, a stationary cap body piece and a movable valve actuator or button piece, the latter being vertically movable in the stationary cap body and being guided thereby. This construction has enjoyed both appreciable utility and wide acceptance, in large part because of the smooth and easy operation it provided. Such operation was the consequence of the movable actuator button having a true straight line vertical motion corresponding to that of the valve stem which it operated, and of the effective guidance of such button by the stable, stationary cap body surrounding the same. Because of the two-piece construction, the parts were molded separately and assembled after being molded, and this involved not only an assembly expense but also separate mold equipment.

In order to overcome these cost factors, other caps were proposed and produced, wherein the actuator button and the cap body were molded at one and the same time, as a single unitary piece. The movable button was permanently hingedly connected with the stationary cap body by a small flexible web which acted as the hinge. The flexible web permitted a limited amount of generally vertical movement, such movement however being mostly arcuate in nature. However, due to the small travel required by the vertically movable valve stem, the arcuate nature of the movement of the actuator button, in the one piece cap construction, enabled the cap in general to perform satifactorily. It was, of course, necessary to take into account the different movements of the cooperable parts, that is, the straight line movement of the valve stem and the arcuate movement of the actuator button. Under certain adverse circumstances this resulted in a binding of the valve stem occurring, and as a general rule the actuating parts were not as freely movable as where the button constituted a separate piece and had purely straight line vertical movement as with the two piece cap construction. Thus, the saving in cost was obtained at the expense of a less favorable operating function. Whereas the two piece cap was on the whole superior in operation it represented a higher cost, and the less-expensive one piece cap was not as versatile in its application and had limitations as to the smoothness and ease of movement of the depress button.

In addition to the foregoing, none of the prior actuator caps could be classified as of the indicator or tamper-proof kind, in the sense that unauthorized or accidental operation and use of the aerosol product would be unmistakably revealed.

The above drawbacks and disadvantages of prior aerosol caps are obviated by the present invention, and one object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved actuator cap for a small hand-held aerosol device, which may be readily molded as a single or unitary piece, retaining this form during assembly to the aerosol container, and which will upon the occasion of its first use separate into two distinct and separate parts, a stationary cap body part and a movable valve operator or button part, the latter having purely a straight line vertical movement wholly compatible with the identical movement of the valve stem.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel 3,225,966 Patented Dec. 28, 1965 actuator cap in accordance with the foregoing, which is tamper-proof in that it provides an unmistakable indication of either having been used or else of not having been used.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved actuator cap construction as above set forth, which additionally incorporates the features of a guard-type cap, a side discharge cap, a relatively large size cap, and a sloping-top cap as well as a captive-button type cap.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved cap construction as characterized, which has improved guide or hearing means to effect a favorable, easy movement after separation of the button and cap body.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a cap construction as above outlined, which may be readily molded in relatively simple mold cavities, utilizing existing techniques.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved actuator cap which is moldable as a single piece and later convertible to a two-piece construction, wherein the cap remains as a one-piece unit during all initial handling and assembly to the aerosol container, and is only converted to a two-piece cap after the purchase and first use by the consumer, such cap further constituting a tamper-proof device in that a user will be apprised of any tampering or prior use by the broken web or two-piece condition of the cap.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters of reference are used to designate like components throughout the several views, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of a molded one piece actuator cap as provided by the invention, mounted on the upper portion of an aerosol container.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cap construction of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the cap construction of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view disclosing details of one of the connecting webs between the cap body and the actuator button.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an actuator illustrating a modification of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of another actuator cap, illustrating yet another modification of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of an actuator cap construction, illustrating still another modification of the invention.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-5, the one-piece cap construction illustrated therein is indicated generally by the numeral 10, said cap construction being mounted on the upper portion of a pressurized aerosol container 12. The container 12 is shown as having the usual mounting rim or shoulder 14, within which there is located an upstanding vertically movable hollow valve stem 16 having a bore through which the aerosol substance is discharged when the stem is depressed or shifted downward.

The cap construction 10 comprises a tubular cap body 18 in the form of a substantially cylindrical wall provided at its bottom edge with an internal detent flange or bead 20 adapted to be forced downward over the mounting shoulder 14 of the container 12 and to gri pingly engage the undersurface of the shoulder so as to retain the cap body in the mounted position shown.

While the cap body 18 is illustrated herein as having one specific shape consisting substantially of a cylindrical wall section, it will be understood that other shapes are possible, and that the invention is not restricted to the specific shape or construction shown but instead is more properly defined in the appended claims.

The upper edge or rim 24 of the cap body 18 is sloping With respect to the axis of the cap. Also, the upper rim or edge follows a curved surface such as would result if the cylindrical wall 18 were intercepted by another cylindrical wall having its axis located at an angle with respect to the axis of the wall 18.

The upper edge 24 of the cap body 18 constitutes a guard in that it surrounds the valve actuator button 25 and is sul'ficien-tly high to prevent accidental actuation or operation of such button if the aerosol device should be brought in contact with a broad-surfaced exterior object.

The valve actuator or depress button 25 is disposed within the cap body 18, and has a sloping and concave top surface 26 adapted for engagement by the finger of the user. The actuator button 25 is in the form of an inverted cup, having depending cylindrical side walls 28 located within and spaced from the cylindrical wall 18 of the cap body. The button 25 is intended to be vertically movable in the cap body, and the side walls 28 thereof are separated from the wall 18 of the cap body by an annular space 30. The butt-on 25 has a depending hollow boss 32 arranged to frictionally fit over the valve stem 16 and to engage the same whereby the button is centralized in the cap body 18 and mounted for vertical movement by the stem.

Communicating with the hollow boss 32 is a lateral passage 34 which terminates at an orifice member 36 carried by the button 25 and disposed in a vertical slot 38 in the side wall 18 of the cap body. With such construction the button 25 is held captive in the cap body, since the discharge orifice 36 has but limited vertical movement in the slot 38, such movement being insufiicient to enable removal of the button to be elfected.

It will be understood that when the button 25 is depressed or shifted downward, it depresses the valve stem 16 whereupon the aerosol substance is discharged from the container, passing upward through the valve stem, through the hollow boss 32 and the lateral passage 34 and being discharged from the orifice 36.

In accordance with the present invention, the cap construction comprising the depress button 25 and the cap body 18 are molded as a single unitary piece, in a single mold having the required cavities to provide the configurations shown. The molding of the piece does not include the discharge orifice 36, which is molded apart from the cap construction and applied to the button 25 at a later time. To form the annular space between the depress button 25 and the cap body 18 a suitable annular projection is provided in the mold cavity, as may be understood.

For the purpose of joining the depress button 25 to the cap body 18 in such a manner that these may be readily separated at a later time, as for example upon the occasion of the first actuation of the cap by a consumer after the purchase of the aerosol device, the cap construction has a plurality of frangible webs 40 joining the button 25 to the cap body 18. The said webs are so arranged and organized that upon the removal of the molded piece from the molds, the button 25 will remain attached to the cap body 18, and such attachment will continue during subsequent handling of the molded piece and also assembly of the same to the aerosol container 12. It is only after actuation of the cap for the purpose of effecting a discharge of the aerosol substance that the frangible webs 40 are broken through, thereby permanently separating the button 25 from the cap body 18 and causing these to be separate pieces. Such separation now enables the button 25 to have a purely straight line vertical movement, similar to the straight line vertical movement of the valve stem 16.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 the frangible webs 48 are indicated as being three in number, two being provided on opposite sides of the discharge orifice 36 and the third being diametrically opposite the said orifice, as

readily seen in FIG. 2. I have found it advantageous to provide the frangible Webs 40 at any of several distinct locations or levels, one being at the bottom rim or edge of the button 25, said webs being joined to the inside of the cap body 18 intermediate the upper and lower rim or end portions thereof.

By such disposition of the frangible webs 40 the mold part which forms the angular space 30 may be of relatively simple construction, and the webs may be formed by providing notches in the edge of such mold parts, as may now be understood. Thus, the webs 40 will be located at the bottom edge or rim 42 of the button 25.

Also, as clearly shown in FIG. 5, it is preferred to make the webs 40 with the thinnest section at their outermost ends, adjoining the cylindrical wall of the cap body 18.

The webs 40 are intended to remain intact during handling of the cap construction after the molding thereof, and also during the operation of assembling the cap construction to the aerosol container. The assembly tool is so arranged that it applies pressure to both the cap body 18 and the depress button 25 simultaneously, thereby maintaining the relative positions of these parts and preventing breakage of the webs during such assembly. However, after assembly of the cap construction, the occasion of the first operation or actuation of the button 25 to effect a discharge of the aerosol substance will result in the three webs 40 breaking at the thinnest outermost sections thereof. Subsequently, the button 25 will be free for vertical movement in a straight line, and also the portions of the webs 40 which are carried by the button will act as guides, engaging the inner cylindrical wall surface of the cap body 18. The webs 40 will thus tend to maintain the centralized position of the button, aiding the valve stem 16 in this function.

Since all of the webs are broken at the time of first movement of the button, a complete subsequent freedom of movement is possible, this being in sharp contrast to those cap constructions wherein a flexible Web is continually permanently operative to serve as a hinge whereby the button is required to have an arcuate movement, other than in a straight line.

It will now be understood from the foregoing that the present improved cap construction has the economy attendant the molding of an entire assemblage in one piece and at one and the same time, yet has the advantages of smooth and easy operation in the movements of the button, which latter characterizes two-piece cap constructions.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6, wherein additional guide or bearing means are provided on the actuator button for engagement with the inner surfaces of the cap body. As shown in this figure, the cap button 25a has, in addition to the frangible webs 40a, vertically extending ribs 46. After severance of the webs 40a, the cap body part (designated 18a) will be similar in all respects to the cap body 18 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. With the construction of FIG. 6, not only will the webs 40a function as spacers and guides, but also the vertical ribs 46 will act as additional spacers and guides, preventing any undesired looseness of the button 25a in the cap body 18a and maintaining the button quite accurately centralized.

Instead of providing vertical ribs on the button 25a, the spacer ribs may be provided on the cap body part itself, as illustrated in FIG. 7. In this figure the cap body is designated 18b, said body having vertical ribs 48 which are disposed in the annular space 30b between the button 25b and the cap body 18b. Upon severance of the frangible webs 40b, the vertical ribs 48 on the cap body 18!) will constitute guides, which are in addition to the guides. constituted by the severed webs 40b. Thus, the button 25b will be maintained accurately centralized, and will have a smooth and easy vertical movement, similar to the movement of the valve stem 16.

In each of the above embodiments the cap construction is initially molded as a single unitary piece, and is handled and assembled as such, said construction being converted to a two piece unit when the aerosol device is first placed in use by depressing the actuator button of the cap.

It is preferred, for the embodiments of FIGS. 1-7, that the vertically extending slot 38 in the wall of the cap body 18 be located at a level above that occupied by the frangible webs 40, thereby simplifying the mold construction since no provision for producing the slot need be made on the core portion of the mold which forms the hollow of the button 25 and the lower bore of the cap body 18, comprising that portion disposed below the webs 40.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 8. In the FIG. 8 construction the frangible webs are located at the topmost portions of the cap body and actuator button, where they are in full view at all times. Such cap construction is especially desirable in providing a tamperproof feature, inasmuch as either the broken or else the unbroken condition of the frangible webs is readily apparent to the user. If the webs are broken it indicates that the aerosol device has already been placed in use, and that presumably a portion of the contents has been discharged. If, on the other hand, the frangible webs are unbroken this will indicate that the aerosol device is intact and has not been previously used. Accordingly, the consumer can be reasonably sure that he or she is getting a completely full supply of the aerosol substance.

As shown in the figure, the cap body 180 has a top rim portion 24c which surrounds the sloping top surface 260 of the actuator button 250. Connecting the top rim 240 of the cap body with the top wall 260 of the button 250 are frangible webs 400 only one of which is shown in FIG. 8. Three or more of the frangible webs 400 may be provided, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-7. As an illustration, three webs 40c disposed in the manner indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be provided, connecting the button 25c with the cap body 18c. FIG. 3 may be considered as a bottom plan view of the cap construction of FIG. 8, as well as being a bottom plan view of the cap construction of FIGS. 1 and 2. Otherwise, the cap construction of FIG. 8 is generally similar to the structure of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5.

It will be understood that the frangible webs 40c in FIG. 8 are disposed along the top peripheral portion of the cap construction so as to be fully in view at all times. When such webs are broken through, this will be readily apparent even from a cursory inspection, and the unbroken condition of the webs is also easily observed. Thus, the webs 400 of the cap construction of FIG. 8 constitute a unique tamper proof feature having distinct advantages.

The button 250 has a hollow central depending hub 32c adapted to receive the actuator stem 16 of the aerosol container 12, as will be understood.

The actuator cap constructions as above set forth are simple and at one and the same time extremely economical to fabricate and smooth and easy to operate, minimizing the likelihood of binding of the valve stem when the device is put to use. The actuator is convenient to operate, and the depress button is guarded against accidental actuation while also having the desirable tamper-proof feature.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

I claim:

1. A one-piece molded plastic actuator cap for a dispensing container comprising, in combination:

(a) a tubular cap body having means for securing it to an aerosol container,

(b) a depress button disposed for vertical movement within and spaced from the cap body,

(0) means on said button, engageable with a valve stem of the aerosol container to actuate the stem,

(d) said button having an orifice for discharging aerosol substance received from the valve stem,

(e) a plurality of short frangible webs spaced from each other and located in the space between and connecting the button and cap body,

(f) said webs being integral with both the button and cap body and the latter and button being otherwise spaced apart and otherwise unattached to each other except by said webs,

(g) said webs normally holding the button in an operative position spaced within the cap body and all said webs becoming completely severed upon the first occasion of the button being shifted vertically in the body for the purpose of actuating the said valve stem, said button being thereby freed of the cap body and carried wholly by the valve stem for movement independently of the body in a path determined by the stem, with which latter it is engaged.

2. A cap as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the button has an annular bottom rim disposed Within the cap body, and

(b) the webs are integral with the button at the said bottom rim.

3. A cap as in claim 2, wherein:

(a) the cap body has top and bottom rims, and

(b) the webs are integral with the inner wall of the cap body at points intermediate the top and bottom rims thereof.

4. A cap as in claim 3, wherein:

(a) the webs have thinnest sections at the inner wall of the cap body whereby they remain on and travel with the button after breaking.

5. A cap as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the cap body has vertical ribs on its inner wall,

constituting guides for the button.

6. A cap as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the button has vertical ribs on the walls facing the cap body, said ribs constituting guides for the button.

7. A'cap as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the cap body has an elongate through opening in the side wall thereof, and

(b) the discharge orifice of the button extends through the opening of the cap body and holds the button captive in the body while permitting limited vertical movement.

8. A cap as in claim 7, wherein:

(a) the through opening in the cap body is disposed above the level of the highest of any of said webs.

9. A cap as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the cap body has a top rim,

(b) the button has an exposed, expansive top surface within the said top rim,

(c) the webs are in full view from the top of the ac tuator cap and are integral with the button and cap body at the said expansive top surface and top rim respectively.

10. A cap as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the webs are disposed at spaced points along the periphery of the button to provide a balanced opposing force when the button is first operated.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,819,116 1/1958 Abplanalp 222394 2,887,273 5/1958 Anderson et al 239337 2,982,448 5/1961 Leonard et al. 222-153 3,006,510 10/1961 Sagarin 222l82 3,031,111 4/1962 Stull 222-541 3,039,659 6/1962 Saragin 222 394 X 3,058,626 10/1962 Hibbs et al. 222394 X 3,107,826 10/1963 Kruck 239337 Xv 3,109,565 11/1963 Kutik 222394 3,170,603 2/1965 Kitterman 2.22182v RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Exan'tiltelm 

1. ONE-PIECE MOLDED PLASTIC ACTUATOR CAP FOR A DISPENSING CONTAINER COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A TUBULAR CAP BODY HAVING MEANS FOR SECURING IT TO AN AEROSOL CONTAINER, (B) A DEPRESS BUTTON DISPOSED FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT WITHIN AND SPACED FROM THE CAP BODY, (C) MEANS ON SAID BUTTON, ENGAGEABLE WITH A VALVE STEM OF THE AEROSOL CONTAINER TO ACUTATE THE STEM, (D) SAID BUTTON HAVING AN ORIFICE FOR DISCHARGING AEROSOL SUBSTANCE RECEIVED FROM THE VALVE STEM, (E) A PLURALITY OF SHORT FRANGIBLE WEBS SPACED FROM EACH OTHER AND LOCATED IN THE SPACE BETWEEN AND CONNECTING THE BUTTON AND CAP BODY, (F) SAID WEBS BEING INTEGRAL WITH BOTH THE BUTTON AND CAP BODY AND THE LATTER AND BUTTON BEING OTHWERWISE SPACED APART AND OTHERWISE UNATTACHED TO EACH OTHER EXCEPT BY SAID WEBS, (G) SAID WEBS NORMALLY HOLDING THE BUTTON IN AN OPERATIVE POSITION SPACED WITHIN THE CAP BODY AND ALL SAID WEBS BECOMING COMPLETELY SEVERED UPON THE FIRST OCCASION OF THE BUTTON BEING SHIFTED VERTICALLY IN THE BODY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACTUATING THE SAID VALVE STEM, SAID BUTTON BEING THEREBY FREED OF THE CAP BODY AND CARRIED WHOLLY BY THE VALVE STEM FOR MOVEMENT INDEPENDENTLY OF THE BODY IN A PATH DETERMINED BY THE STEM, WITH WHICH LATTER IT IS ENGAGED. 